Christian Grans

OK, I'll correct you then, elf, since you asked for it. There has been some discussion about catholic beliefs in things like purgatory and limbo and states of grace on other threads. If those aren't nuances of christian faith, I don't know what are.

Secualrism is about treating everyone the same whatever their religious or non-religious beliefs. It is about not favouring any group of people over another group.

Got it yet?

Elsie Joy, welcome. There are a few Christians in this forum. I am one of them.

I would welcome debate on Christian matters but every thread seems to end up with those with a religious belief on one hand and those without on the other.

Nothing wrong with that, and it has its place, but it does mean that nuances and differences of belief, practice and christian action between Christians aren't really possible.

But I stand to be corrected.

Secularism is the belief that the things on which governments make laws should be completely separate from religion. Secularism is about fairness for all, whether those all are christians, jews, hindus, muslims, atheists, agnostics, buddhists, etc.

If secular is generally understood to mean not religious, then secular is generally misunderstood! Secularism is about the separation of state and religion so that everyone has the same freedom to belong to whatever religion or non-religion they want. It's about equality at law. It is NOT about religion per se.

I understand secular to mean wanting the complete separation of churches and state. I am sure some believers want this as they see how fair it is.

Elsie I'm so pleased to read your post! There have been very few Christians who have joined the good fight. Bags only in the sense of being a member of the laity or not a 'religious', surely? I think secular is generally understood to mean 'not religious'.

If you read the religion threads you will see that there are plenty of practising Christians on the forum. Nobody wants to make anybody else give up their beliefs - some of us are just interested to know why people believe as they do. We also enjoy lively debates but if you think you would get upset by having your beliefs challenged, it might be wise for you to avoid those threads.
I am not proud of being an atheist, any more than I am proud of having green eyes - it is just what I am. I am certainly not ashamed of it, either.

I think you might be confusing secular with atheist and agnostic, elsiejoy. You can be a christian and a secularist, you know, at the same time. They are not mutually exclusive.